Manager, Accelerator

Position: Manager, Accelerator

Location: London, Ontario

Position Type: Full-time (30 hours/week), temporary contract of 12 months with a target start date of Mid-August.

Status: This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Hiring Range: $74,800 - $93,551

Application Deadline: Friday, July 3rd, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.

About Ivey Business School:

Ivey Business School acknowledges and respects the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lunaapéewak, and Attawandaron peoples, where Western University and Ivey Business School are located. This land continues to be home to diverse Indigenous peoples, whom we recognize as contemporary stewards of the land and vital contributors of the community.

Ivey Business School (www.ivey.ca) at Western University (www.uwo.ca) is Canada’s leading provider of real-world, case-based business education. Drawing on extensive research and business experience, Ivey’s faculty provides the best classroom experience, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and capabilities they need to confidently take on today’s leadership challenges and opportunities through Case-Method Learning. Ivey offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as Executive Education at campuses in London, Toronto, and Hong Kong.

Successful entrepreneurship is a journey, requiring learning, adaptation, renewal, and collaboration. Morrissette Entrepreneurship is committed to being there every step of the way. We are broadening the definition of entrepreneurial success by focusing on better, not more. We are championing a culture of entrepreneurship that is truly diverse, inclusive, and deeply original by supporting all Western faculty and students. And we are growing communities of support committed to lifting each other up. At Morrissette Entrepreneurship, we reach beyond the start.

Position Overview:

The Manager will lead the day-to-day operations, events, programs and budget of the Accelerator Program, Western Angel Investment Group, Demo Days and all qualifying rounds for Demo Day and the Accelerator. The Manager will work with 6-10 business start-ups (approximately 16 businesspeople) to provide expertise, advisory and coaching support to entrepreneurs. The incumbent will contribute to the overall reputation of the University and success of the Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship Ecosystem by working creatively with Accelerator, and Demo Day companies to solve access and competency issues and by building, nurturing and engaging Western’s network of entrepreneurial alum for work with the Accelerator Companies. They will be responsible for Accelerator Programming (scheduling, selecting presenters & mentors, as well as budgeting). The Manager will be responsible for sustaining targeted corporate sponsorship relationships across various industries for the Western Accelerator and for providing program relationship bridge building for more advanced programming and networking events. The incumbent will work closely with the Executive Director and Directors to develop strategy, and to establish targets, goals, and plans for the portfolio. 

Responsibilities:

1. Leading the Accelerator Program and Mentoring Accelerator Companies 

• Manage the daily, weekly, and monthly activities of the Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship Accelerator (seminars, networking events, mentors etc.). The MIFE Accelerator includes the fall and spring intake, plus the summer student internship intake.
  • Engage with 6-10 start-ups to understand their challenges, questions, and goals. Provide strategic advice, coaching, and guidance to address business concerns and problem solving daily.
  • The Manager, Accelerator develops the curriculum and mentorship calendar for all three intakes of the Accelerator. 
  • The Manager, Accelerator has primary responsibility to reach out to Alumni, Business, and faculty experts to fill the curriculum components, build a mentor team for the participants, and host and facilitate sessions with the experts and mentors.
• Manage the recruitment of start-ups to the MIFE Accelerator program and actively identify and engage with businesses to ensure a strong pipeline. pipeline. Work with other departments at Western such as Communications/Alumni to promote the program.
• Work with communications to promote the MIFE Accelerator program and its start-ups within the London entrepreneurship community and broader Western community through press releases, social media, newsletters, videos etc.
• Work with the Internal Director and External Committee of the MIFE Advisory Board to build and keep budgets regarding the Accelerator and its activities (approx. $350k, which is expected to increase as the program develops).
• Maintain positive stakeholder relations, as it relates to operation of the Accelerator (both internal and external to the University).
• Establish and build strategic partnerships with appropriate government and private sector organizations.

2. Leading Demo Days and Qualifying Events 

• Lead the daily, weekly, and monthly activities leading up to and including the two Demo Days held each year. This will include the qualifying competition to participate in Demo Day each term. Activities include recruitment of great entrepreneurial businesses from across the country, and the design and organization of the Qualifying and Final (investor) rounds of Demo Day.
  • Recruit judges from the business/entrepreneurial community to serve as judges for the qualifying rounds of Demo Day. 
  • The Manager, Accelerator is responsible for the final selection of teams (considering the judges scores), communicating with and then preparing the final participating companies for Demo Day.
  • The Manager, Accelerator is responsible for the structure of Demo Day itself, which has typically included the recruitment of investors, the selection of a venue, the selection of a speaker or panel, the organization of the presenting companies and a networking event.
  • Communicate with all sponsors of Demo Day which includes regular updates and engagement in the event.
• Develop and oversee budgets, tracking expenditures and approving expenditures according to the budget plan for all Accelerator, Demo Day and related activities, and the Western Angel Investors Group Accounts (funds).

3. Metric Management - 10%

• Collect, organize, and present performance metrics on an ongoing basis of current & former Accelerator & Demo Day teams. Including states, money raised, sales and number of companies.

Qualifications: 

Education and Experience: 

• Undergraduate Degree in Business, Management, Marketing, or a related field. 
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a client facing role working and managing within an entrepreneurial environment.
• Proven experience in business advisory, coaching, and problem-solving, preferably in a consulting or entrepreneurship-focused role.
• Knowledge of venture capital, private equity, and other sources of investment. 
• Knowledge of general office procedures and familiarity with best practices for assessing, developing, and implementing new business processes and procedures.
• In-depth knowledge of foundational business concepts, along with a keen interest in current business thinking.
• Familiarity with financial budgeting.

 Skills and Abilities: 

• Strong interpersonal skills and listening skills, with an ability to communicate with a variety of clients at all levels including executives, alumni, and other professionals.
• Ability to ensure expenditures and resources are within allotments, and to make appropriate modifications when required.
• Sales skills and the ability to represent effectively and enthusiastically Western, its students and MIFE to targeted organizations.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to write clear, concise, and accurate procedural documentation.
• Relationship-building skills, both within the organization and in dealing with external constituents.
• Ability to apply creativity, innovation, and resourcefulness to daily work.
• Capacity to support and demonstrate openness to persons of diverse backgrounds and beliefs.
• Ability to understand customer needs and expectations and provide excellent customer service to satisfy expectations directly and indirectly.
• Attention to detail with an ability to retrieve, analyze and synthesize sizable amounts of data, while ensuring that information is accurate and comprehensive.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development with a desire to take on new challenges.
• A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution skills and the capacity to consider issues from the perspective of others.
• Discretion, tact, and maturity to deal with highly confidential subjects, and work in a manner that models best practices in confidentiality standards.
• Organizational, prioritization, and project management skills with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work under pressure, with the flexibility to respond to ambiguity, changing priorities and fluctuating workloads.
• Ability to plan and manage events of various sizes, familiarity with large scale events an asset.
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals.
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite & Gust.
• Ability and willingness to travel and work outside of regular business hours. Including International travel.
• Familiarity with University policies and procedures preferred.

What We Offer:

• A bright, inclusive, and modern eco-friendly working environment
• A collaborative and engaging work culture
• Opportunity to join a community of people-focused professionals
• Market competitive compensation 
• Benefits package with employer-paid premiums and no waiting period
• Enhanced mental health benefits coverage and resources
• 15 days per year vacation plus 2 paid Ivey Personal Days
• Paid time off during the School’s December holiday closure
• Numerous campus-wide arts, culture, and sport events
• Employee Assistance Program with family coverage

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Ivey

Ivey Business School is committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Please explore Ivey’s EDI homepage for more information on Ivey's commitment to EDI, to read about Ivey’s progress in the EDI Update, and to meet Ivey’s EDI Advisory Council members.

Ivey Business School invites applications from all qualified individuals. Ivey is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace, and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodation
Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Please contact us at [email protected] to notify us of any needs related to completing the job application, and/or throughout the recruitment process.

Artificial Intelligence

AI-supported tools may be used in parts of the selection process to help evaluate applications; however, our HR system itself does not include any AI functionality. All hiring decisions are made by people.

Application:

If you're excited about joining Canada's leading business school and meet the qualifications, please submit your resume and cover letter via the Ivey Careers page by the application deadline.

*Please note only selected candidates will be contacted.
 

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